Pro-Life New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Will Seek Re-Election

Governor Chris Christie, a pro-life advocate who is the governor of New Jersey, filed papers today to seek re-election. His race, along with the race for governor in Virginia, are the two most high-profile election battles in 2013, an off election year for Congress.

Christie has delighted pro-life advocates on multiple occasions by vetoing bills handed to him by the state legislature that would force state taxpayers to finance the Planned Parenthood abortion business. In June, for the fourth time, Christie vetoed such a bill.

Christie earned high praise from pro-life advocates, saying it didn’t need taxpayer funds in part because clinics are available across the state that provide health care for women without also doing abortions and because the state is facing a tough financial crunch.

“I first want to thank you for acting on our Alert to urge the Governor to veto S788/A3204, the bill which would provide $7.5M in taxpayer funds to Planned Parenthood, Marie Tasy of New Jersey Right to Life said in an email message to members. “The Governor heard our message loud and clear! Just this afternoon, Governor Christie vetoed the bill, along with other supplemental bills passed last week.”

“This is the 4th time Governor Christie has vetoed measures to fund Planned Parenthood. Please call and thank the Governor (609 292 6000) for standing strong on this issue and protecting the integrity of New Jersey taxpayers,” Tasy added.

In August, Christie visited the Southern Jersey Family Medical Center’s Burlington City Health Center to kick off National Health Center Week.

“The Burlington City Health Center and all of our New Jersey community health centers are an essential part of our health safety net for those who otherwise would not have a medical home,” Christie said, according to Newsroom Jersey. “These centers offer affordable, high-quality care to residents and families in need. I am proud of the strong support my administration has provided for community health centers in the budget – $113 million in Medicaid and $46.4 million for the uninsured. With this assistance, we are making sure the people and communities who rely on these services lead healthy lives now and in the future.”

During a speech in Janaury, Christie made it clear he takes a strongly pro-life stance on abortion.

“I stand with you,” on opposing abortion, the governor told the crowd, and “with each and every one of those precious human lives.”

“What we need to do each and every day is to live our lives in a way that encourages everyone to understand why this cause is so important,” Christie said, according to the Asbury Park Press. ”To show that we respect the life of every human being, and that every human being is one of God’s creatures and deserves the love and respect that God gives to all us.”

“As long as I have the honor of serving as governor, you will know you will have someone sitting in that office who understands the issue, who appreciates it and will continue to stand up and speak strongly in favor for the protection of every human life in New Jersey.”

Christie said elected officials who are pro-life must “speak loudly and clearly (and) leave no ambiguity about how we feel about this issue.”

Talking about his own views, Christie added: “As you all may know this is not an issue that I always understood nor was I always on your side. It is an issue I came to grow and learn about in a very personal way. My daughter Sarah will turn 15 in February. When I heard her heartbeat at three months in our doctor’s office, it was at that moment that it became clear to me that being on the sidelines on this issue was not something I could live with. I needed to speak out in favor of a very simple idea, that that child is a life which deserves protection.”

“If you’re voting for somebody at the top of the ticket who’s pro-life, and vice presidents often – not always, but often – wind up succeeding to leadership of the party, if not leadership of the country,” Christie said over the weekend, “You know, people want some consistency in that regard.”

“Do I think it’s possible? I think it’s possible,” Christie said of the possibility of Romney picking someone pro-abortion. “Do I think it’s likely? No. And do I think it’s advisable? No. I wouldn’t do it.”